5 bold predictions for the Vikings at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine
By Chris Schad
Vikings will be linked to a QB during the Combine
Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings in 2020. He has a no-trade clause, so he can’t be dealt unless he gives the approval. He’s making more than $29 million next season, so he’s probably not going to get cut (although the Oakland Raiders took a similar cap hit by releasing Antonio Brown last year).
Cousins is not going anywhere between now and the start of the 2020 season. But what about after that?
With Cousins in the final year of his deal, Minnesota will likely work on a new contract to keep him around for at least another year or two. But they would be foolish not to take a look at someone in the incoming quarterback class.
There are some guys that the Vikings just will not be able to get such as Joe Burrow. But with the success that the Kansas City Chiefs had by getting aggressive to land Patrick Mahomes with Alex Smith already on their roster, it might light a fire for Rick Spielman and Minnesota offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak to get to know some of the quarterbacks from this year’s group of prospects.
On the high-end, Tua Tagovailoa would be a pipe dream. It would cost the Vikings a truckload of draft picks to get him though and they’d have to move up to the third spot in the first round which is currently held by the Detroit Lions, who would probably not like to have to face him for the next decade.
Justin Herbert would also cost a similar sum, but Minnesota could also draft Jake Fromm, Jalen Hurts, or Jacob Eason as a high-upside backup that could learn under Cousins for a season.
Cousins is a solid quarterback that can help the Vikings win games in 2020. But even if Minnesota feels he’s their franchise guy, they still have to keep an eye toward the future.